System for providing a secure video display

ABSTRACT

A system for providing a secure video display using a one-way data link. An input interface for receives a video stream signal. The one-way data link has an input node coupled to receive the input video stream signal and an output node. A processing system is coupled to the output node of the one-way data link and is configured to run a predetermined operating system. In an embodiment, a video display software program operates within the predetermined operating system to process the video stream signal received from the output node of the one-way data link and to provide an output signal for viewing on a display coupled to the processing system. Optionally, the video display program operates within a virtual operating system running within the predetermined operating system. In other embodiments, the video display program may process a video stream signal containing a plurality of different video programs.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a system for providing a securevideo display, and in particular, a system for providing real-timedisplay in a secure location of full-motion video from untrustedsources.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The emerging mission requirement to transfer streaming video fromuntrusted sources across network domains in the low-to-high directioncreates a number of security problems. Prevailing security requirementsdictate that all data be filtered to reduce threat of embedded malicioussoftware, yet this is particularly difficult to do with real-time videobecause of the inherent tradeoffs between data filter efficacy(confidence in detection of security violations), time delays (latency),and video resolution (which degenerates with most methods of datasanitization).

It is desirable to display video at full resolution with minimal timedelay, while simultaneously protecting the integrity of data in thereceiving network from potential malware threats.

Video is often produced and displayed using open-source software; and,increasingly, open-source software tools are available to embedpotentially malicious data using methods increasingly difficult todetect. This suggests that the ability to fully filter video data at aCDS (cross domain system) may not be technically feasible or at leastquite difficult.

In addition, highly engineered solutions, such as the Owl ComputingTechnologies Dual Diode, (described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,068,415, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference) provide adirect point-to-point optical link between network domains in thelow-to-high direction. The unidirectionality of the data transfer isenforced in the circuitry of the network interface cards at both networkendpoints and in the cable interconnects. In this way, the hardwareprovides an added layer of assurance of unidirectional information flowand non-bypassable operation. In contrast to software based one-way datatransfer systems, it is easy to prove that data is not bypassing theDual Diode.

In such systems, shown in block diagram form in FIG. 1, a first server(the Blue Server) 101 includes a transmit application 102 for sendingdata across a one-way data link, e.g., optical link 104, from a firstnetwork domain coupled to server 101 to a second network domain coupledto server 111. First server 101 also includes a transmit (here aphototransmission) component, e.g., optical emitter 103. Transmitapplication 102 provides data to the optical emitter for transmissionacross the optical link 104. A second server (the Red Server) 111includes a receive (here a photodetection) component, e.g., opticaldetector 113, for receiving data from the optical link 104, which datais then provided to the receive application 112 for further processing.The first server 101 is only able to transmit data to second server 111,since it does not include any receive circuitry (e.g., an opticaldetector comparable to detector 113) and the second server 11 is onlyable to receive data from first server 101, since it does not includeany transmit circuitry (e.g., an optical emitter comparable to emitter103.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system fordisplaying video at a higher domain network that is received from alower domain network and which eliminates any threat of data damage frommalware which may be included within the received video stream.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in an embodiment, is addressed to a system forproviding a secure video display. An input interface receives a videostream signal. A one-way data link has an input node which is coupled tothe input interface and an output node. A processing system is coupledto the output node of the one-way data link. The processing system isconfigured to run a predetermined operating system. A video displaysoftware program operating within the predetermined operating systemprocesses the video stream signal received from the output node of theone-way data link and provides an output signal for viewing on a displaycoupled to the processing system. Optionally, a virtual operating systemis configured to run within the predetermined operating system and thevideo display software program operates within the virtual operatingsystem. Also optionally, an input server may be coupled between theinput interface and the one-way data link for receiving a plurality ofdigital video data stream signals and for generating a multiplexedoutput signal comprising the received plurality of digital video datastream signals. In this latter configuration, an interface softwaremodule may be coupled between the output node of the one-way data linkand the processing system. The interface software module may beconfigured to demultiplex the multiplexed output signal and provide aseparate demultiplexed signal for each of the plurality of digital videodata stream signals received at the input interface. Finally, as anadditional option to this latter configuration, the system may include aplurality of virtual operating systems, one for each of the receivedplurality of digital video data stream signals and with each of theplurality of virtual operating systems configured to run within thepredetermined operating system and each including an associated videodisplay software program operating therein to process an associated ofthe received plurality of digital video data stream signals.

In one alternative embodiment of the present invention, a system forproviding a secure video display is provided which includes an inputinterface and associated input server for receiving a signal comprisinga plurality of video stream signals. A one-way data link has an inputnode coupled to the output of the input server and an output node. Adedicated processing system is coupled to the output node of the one-waydata link. The processing system is configured to run a predeterminedoperating system. An isolated video display network is coupled to thededicated processing system. One or more display terminals is/arecoupled to the isolated video display network. A video display softwareprogram runs on the predetermined operating system for processing thevideo stream signals received from the output node of the one-way datalink and for selectively providing output signals based upon the videostream signals via the isolated video display network to an associateddisplay terminal for viewing thereon. Optionally, a virtual operatingsystem is configured to run within the predetermined operating systemand the video display software program operates within the virtualoperating system.

In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, a system forproviding a secure video display is provided which includes an inputinterface and associated input server for receiving a signal comprisinga plurality of video stream signals. A one-way data link has an inputnode coupled to an output of the input server and an output node. Adedicated processing system is coupled to the output node of the one-waydata link. The processing system is configured to run a predeterminedoperating system. An isolated video display network is coupled to thededicated processing system. A display terminal is coupled to theisolated video display network. The display terminal is configured toallow a user to select one of a plurality of video programs for viewing,the plurality of video programs corresponding to the plurality of videostream signals received at the input interface. A video display softwareprogram operates within the predetermined operating system forprocessing the video stream signals received from the output node of theone-way data link and for selectively providing an output signal basedupon the received video stream signals and the selected video program,the output signal provided via the isolated video display network to thedisplay terminal for viewing thereon. Optionally, a virtual operatingsystem is configured to run within the predetermined operating systemand the video display software program operates within the virtualoperating system.

In operation, the video display software program may convert thereceived video stream signal (or signals) from a first format based upona first video codec into a second format based upon a second videoformat. Alternative, the video display program may convert the receivedvideo stream signal (or signals) from a first format into a formatsuitable for transmission on a dedicated video signal interface. Thededicated video signal interface may be HDMI.

A software filter/firewall may be provided between the input interfaceand the one-way data link. The software filter/firewall may perform IPscreening and/or data filtering.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description, given by way of example and notintended to limit the present invention solely thereto, will best beunderstood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional one-way data transfersystem;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a secure video displaysystem according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an additional embodiment of a secure videodisplay system according to the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a further embodiment of a secure videodisplay system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the present disclosure, like reference numbers refer to like elementsthroughout the drawings, which illustrate various exemplary embodimentsof the present invention.

Since potential malware embedded in a video stream must first bytransformed into executable form by the display software application,security benefits may be achieved by hardening and/or isolating and/orcontaining (e.g., with SE Linux policies) the video display softwareapplication. Security is achieved by isolating the video displaysoftware in its own dedicated computer system or own virtual hostoperating system and by providing data to the video display softwaresolely through a one-way data transfer system. In this manner, themalware will not be able to communicate outside the dedicated computersystem or virtual host operating system, due to the isolation providedby the one-way data transfer system. In addition, when the video displaysoftware operates on a virtual host operating system, the malware willnot be able to disrupt system operations, other than the video displaysoftware, as the virtual host operating system operates separately fromother system functionality at the server which receives the videosignal. When the video display software operates on dedicated computersystem, such system preferably offers no other system functionality,other than the video signal processing function, in order to ensure thatno other system operations are disrupted.

The present invention may be configured as a single terminal for viewinga single video channel (FIG. 2), as an isolated video display networkfor providing distributed streams statically to multiple users on adestination network (FIG. 3), or as an isolated video display networkthat provides for subscribing to multiple streams simultaneously andselective viewing thereof by a single user (FIG. 4).

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to a first embodiment ofthe invention shown in FIG. 2, the secure video display system 200preferably includes a video inlet interface 210 for receiving videostreams. As discussed herein, although the received video stream ispreferably in MPEG format, the present invention is not limited toprocessing of MPEG video and as one of ordinary skill in the art willreadily recognize, the present invention may be used to process videostreams in any digital format. Inlet interface 210 is preferably aconnection to a network (e.g., LAN), but could also be a directconnection to a particular computer or server. Inlet interface 210 iscoupled to video input server 205. Input server 205 is configured toreceive, either via a network transmission or a direct transmission, astream of video data. One of ordinary skill in the art will readilyrecognize that conventional techniques may be used to transmit, eithervia a network or direct connection, the video stream to input server205. One of ordinary skill in the art will also readily recognize that,in the event that a direct connection is provided to a source of thevideo stream, input server 205 may be omitted. The video input server205 provides the received digital video stream to unidirectional datainterface 211, consisting of blue (send) side interface software 212, aDual Diode 214 and red (receive) side interface software 215. Theunidirectional data interface 211 operates in an identical manner to theOwl Computing Technologies Dual Diode system shown in FIG. 1 anddescribed above. Input server 205 may receive a single stream of videodata from a single source or multiple streams of video data fromdifferent sources. When multiple streams of video data are received, thevideo data is multiplexed (either by input server 205 or by interfacesoftware 212) to form a single stream of data. At the receive side,interface software 215 may demultiplex the data to separate the streamsand provides separate outputs (for each received stream) to eachassociated video display application 240.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the output 220 of the unidirectionaldata interface consists of the received video stream, isolated from thesource thereof. Output 220 is provided to a video display softwareapplication 240 running on a server 230 having a higher security levelthan that of the source of the video signal. The video display softwareapplication 240 may run on the base operating system of server 230. Inthe alternative, the video display software application 240 may runwithin a virtual isolated operating system (e.g., Linux) running withinthe base operating system of server 230. As one of ordinary skill in theart will readily recognize, although a virtual Linux platform is used inthe preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, any type of operating systemwhich can run as a virtual environment may be used, so long as there isan associated video display software application available which runs inthat operating system and which is capable of processing the types ofvideo signals to be received and viewed by the system 200. In a furtherembodiment, multiple virtual environments may be provided within server230, each configured to receive, via a separate connection (actual orvirtual), a separate video stream demultiplexed by the interfacesoftware 215 and supply a separate output to an associated displaydevice.

The video display software application 240 processes the received videoand prepares an output display signal 250, optionally within the virtual(Linux) platform running on server 230. The video display softwareapplication running on server 230 provides the output display signal 250on a link 260 which connected to a display device 270 for viewing by theuser. The display device 270 may be a conventional terminal such as aKVM (keyboard, video display, mouse) console used by a user that isattached to the higher domain server, or a video projector or any othertype of video display coupled to the higher domain server. When multiplevirtual environments are optionally provided within server 230, each isassociated with a separate display device coupled to server 230 via anassociated link.

The unidirectional data interface 211 ensures that any malware existingwithin the received video stream will be not be able to send any datafrom the higher security level server back to the video source server(or any other location). In addition, the video display softwareapplication operates on a different platform from the end displaydevice, in effect preventing any malware within the received videostream from disrupting the operation of such end display device.Finally, since the video display software application optionally runswithin a virtual platform on the higher security level server 230, anymalware existing within the received video stream would not be able tocause any permanent damage to the higher security level server given thevirtual aspect of the Linux platform. As one of ordinary skill in theart will readily recognize, even if malware existing within the receivedvideo stream were able to disrupt the virtual Linux platform, a simplereboot of that platform would, for example, restore all operatingparameters and allow the video server to restart operations. Thus, thisembodiment combats malware by isolating the application software fromthe sources of the video and by providing a virtual environment for theapplication software.

In a second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the secure video display system300 processes multiple streams, as discussed below, for distribution viaan isolated display network. In particular, system 300 includes a videoinlet interface 210 for receiving video streams (MPEG or other, asdiscussed above). The digital video stream is provided to a send server310. The send server 310 includes a software filter/firewall 312, asend-side software application 212 and the transmit side of the DualDiode 214. Software filter/firewall 312 may perform IP screening and/ordata filtering. Send server 310 thus may perform screening and sourceauthentication. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readilyrecognize, the functionality of filter/firewall 312 may be alternativelyprovided within input server 205. The receive server 320 includes thereceive side of the Dual Diode 214, a receive-side software application215 and a subscriber transaction processor 330. The subscribertransaction processor 330 is a dedicated processor which runs the videodisplay software application and provides a “protocol break” bytranslating the received video signal (e.g., a signal based on a firstvideo codec) into a form for display on terminals 370. Such translationmay involve conversion from a first video signal type (i.e., based on afirst video codec) into a second video signal type (e.g., based on asecond, different video codec). In the alternative, the translationcould also involve converting the first video signal type (e.g., adigital signal embedded in UDP packets) into a different type of videosignal (e.g., a digital video signal for transmission on a non-networkinterface such as an HDMI cable or equivalent).

Video signal streams received via the interface 210 pass to thefilter/firewall 312, then to the send-side software application 212,then through the Dual Diode 214 to the receive-side software application215 and then to the subscriber transaction processor 330. In thisembodiment, receive-side software application 215 may provide themultiplexed video stream signals directly to subscriber transactionprocessor 330 or may perform the demultiplexing and provide separatestream signals to subscriber transaction processor 330. Video displaysoftware operates on the subscriber transaction processor 330 and iscapable of processing multiple received streams in real time (receivedas multiplexed data or as separate streams). Optionally, the videodisplay server may operate in a virtual environment created on theserver 320 as described above. The processed video streams are providedto the isolated video display network 360 via the interface 350.Interface 350 may be a general network-type interface or may be adedicated video-signal only type interface (e.g., a separate HDMI cablefor each video signal). One of ordinary skill in the art will readilyrecognize that other types of video signal interfaces may also be used.Users are able selectively view the desired video streams on terminals370 coupled to the isolated video display network 360 via interfaces365. The system 300 receives multiple streams of video data andseparately routes each stream to the intended viewer at a display on anassociated one of the terminals 370.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the video display software isisolated via the Dual Diode 214 and any received malware would be unableto communicate outside the receive server 320, as with the firstembodiment. In addition, the video display software operates on adedicated server in the second embodiment and thus any received malwarewould be unable to disturb any operations at the receive server otherthan that of the video display processing and would not interfere withoperations of the display terminals 370.

The third embodiment shown in FIG. 4 operates similarly to the system300 shown in FIG. 3, in that it receives a plurality of video streamsvia interface 210. However, instead of routing the separate videostreams to the associated viewers, system 400 in FIG. 4 includes adedicated server 420 on which a video display software application 430is able to selectively process a desired one (as chosen by the user) ofthe plurality of received video streams and selectively route theprocessed video signal to the user. Optionally, server 420 may include avirtual environment for running the video display software application430, in the same manner as discussed above. Interface 350 is coupled toan isolated video display network 460, and a user terminal 470 iscoupled to network 460 via an interface 465. The third embodimentprovides the same protection against malware as the second embodiment inthe same manner, i.e., isolation and operation on a dedicated server.

By rendering and/or converting the video data before providing it theviewer terminal(s), the disclosed embodiments provide an additionallevel of security by way of an effective protocol break between thereceived video signal and the distributed video signal. This iseffective in providing live, low-latency video data without fear ofmalware.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to the preferred embodiments and various aspects thereof,it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art thatvarious changes and modifications may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that the appendedclaims be interpreted as including the embodiments described herein, thealternatives mentioned above, and all equivalents thereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for providing secure video display,comprising: an input interface for receiving a digital video data streamsignal; a one-way data link having an input node coupled to the inputinterface and an output node; a processing system coupled to the outputnode of the one-way data link, the processing system configured to run apredetermined operating system; and a video display software program forprocessing the digital video data stream signal received from the outputnode of the one-way data link and providing an output signal for viewingon a display coupled to the processing system.
 2. The system of claim 1,further comprising a virtual operating system configured to run withinthe predetermined operating system, and wherein the video displaysoftware program operates within the virtual operating system.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the video display software program convertsthe received digital video data stream signal from a first format basedupon a first video codec to a second format based upon a second videocodec.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the video display softwareprogram converts the received digital video data stream signal from afirst format into a format suitable for transmission on a dedicatedvideo signal interface.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the dedicatedvideo signal interface is HDMI.
 6. A system for providing secure videodisplay, comprising: an input interface and associated input server forreceiving a plurality of digital video stream data signals; a one-waydata link having an input node coupled to an output of the input serverand an output node; a dedicated processing system coupled to the outputnode of the one-way data link, the processing system configured to run apredetermined operating system; an isolated video display networkcoupled to the dedicated processing system; one or more displayterminals coupled to the isolated video display network; and a videodisplay software program for processing signals received from the outputnode of the one-way data link and for selectively providing one or moreoutput signals based upon the processed signals via the isolated videodisplay network to one or more associated display terminals for viewingthereon.
 7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a virtualoperating system configured to run within the predetermined operatingsystem, and wherein the video display software program operates withinthe virtual operating system.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein thevideo display software program converts the one or more output signalsfrom a first format based upon a first video codec to a second formatbased upon a second video codec.
 9. The system of claim 6, wherein thevideo display software program converts the one or more output signalsfrom a first format into a format suitable for transmission on adedicated video signal interface.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein thededicated video signal interface is HDMI.
 11. The system of claim 6,further comprising a software firewall coupled between the inputinterface and the one-way data link.
 12. The system of claim 11, whereinthe software firewall is configured to perform IP screening of thereceived digital video data stream signals.
 13. The system of claim 6,further comprising a software filter coupled between the input interfaceand the one-way data link and configured to perform data filtering ofthe received digital video data stream signals.
 14. A system forproviding secure video display, comprising: an input interface andassociated input sever for receiving a plurality of digital video datastream signals; a one-way data link having an input node coupled to anoutput of the input server and an output node; a dedicated processingsystem coupled to the output node of the one-way data link, theprocessing system configured to run a predetermined operating system; adisplay terminal coupled to the dedicated processing system, the displayterminal configured to allow a user to select one of a plurality ofvideo programs for viewing, the plurality of video programscorresponding to the plurality of digital video data stream signalsreceived at the input interface; and a video display software programfor processing signals received from the output node of the one-way datalink and for selectively providing an output signal based upon thereceived signals and the selected video program, the output signalprovided to the display terminal for viewing thereon.
 15. The system ofclaim 14, further comprising a virtual operating system configured torun within the predetermined operating system, and wherein the videodisplay software program operates within the virtual operating system.16. The system of claim 14, wherein the video display software programconverts the output signal from a first format based upon a first videocodec to a second format based upon a second video codec.
 17. The systemof claim 14, wherein the video display software program converts theoutput signal from a first format into a format suitable fortransmission on a dedicated video signal interface.
 18. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the dedicated video signal interface is HDMI.
 19. Thesystem of claim 14, further comprising a software firewall coupledbetween the input interface and the one-way data link.
 20. The system ofclaim 19, wherein the software firewall is configured to perform IPscreening of the received digital video data stream signals.
 21. Thesystem of claim 14, further comprising a software filter coupled betweenthe input interface and the one-way data link and configured to performdata filtering of the received digital video data stream signals.
 22. Asystem for providing secure video display, comprising: an inputinterface and associated input server for receiving a plurality ofdigital video data stream signals and for generating a multiplexedoutput signal comprising the received plurality of digital video datastream signals; a one-way data link having an input node coupled to anoutput of the input server and an output node; an interface softwaremodule coupled to the output node of the one-way data link, theinterface software module configured to demultiplex the multiplexedoutput signal and provide a separate demultiplexed signal for each ofthe plurality of digital video data stream signals received at the inputinterface; a processing system coupled to the interface software module,the processing system configured to run a predetermined operatingsystem; and a video display software program for processing one of theseparate demultiplexed signals received from the interface softwaremodule and for providing an output signal for viewing on a displaycoupled to the processing system.
 23. The system of claim 22, furthercomprising a virtual operating system configured to run within thepredetermined operating system, and wherein the video display softwareprogram operates within the virtual operating system.
 24. The system ofclaim 22, further comprising a plurality of virtual operating systems,one for each of the received plurality of digital video data streamsignals, each of the plurality of virtual operating systems configuredto run within the predetermined operating system, and each including anassociated video display software program operating therein to processan associated of the received plurality of digital video data streamsignals.
 25. The system of claim 22, wherein the video display softwareprogram converts the one of the separate demultiplexed signals from afirst format based upon a first video codec to a second format basedupon a second video codec.
 26. The system of claim 22, wherein the videodisplay software program converts the one of the separate demultiplexedsignals from a first format into a format suitable for transmission on adedicated video signal interface.
 27. The system of claim 26, whereinthe dedicated video signal interface is HDMI.